Assessment of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Internship Program

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service internship program and establish baseline data as a means to evaluate the internship experience. Findings and Conclusions: (1) The intern population was diverse, representing a broad spectrum of students with a variety of majors represented. The mentors were experienced Educators with the Cooperative Extension Service and mentoring. (2) The internship experience had an effect on the interns' attitudes toward the Cooperative Extension Service. Their views shifted from a contemporary to a more traditional view. (3) Interns became more efficacious during their internship as they experienced the duties and roles of Extension educators. (4) An assessment of the skills and abilities of the interns showed an improvement of skills and abilities in five categories from both the interns and mentors views.